Firefighters, Family Honor 2004 Line-Of-Duty Deaths

BEN WEINSTEIN On Oct 10, 2005

An honor guard is shown at the 24th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. Md., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005. This year, the names of the 101 fallen firefighters from 34 states who died in the line of duty in 2004 will be added, along with the names of six firefighters who died in previous years.

Photo credit: AP Photo/The News-Post, Bill Green

Family members of a fallen firefighter light luminarias during the Candlelight Service at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005. The national ceremony honors firefighters who died in the line of duty over the last year.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Frederick News Post, Doug Koontz

In a Maryland farming community, under gray overcast skies, a bagpipes and drum band marched in place, warming up for the ceremony that would honor those firefighters who had fallen in the line of duty in 2004.

Firefighters like Willie J. Lacy. Lacy, or "Mr. Lacy," as he was known around the firehouse, was remembered Sunday for his strong work ethic and the respectful way he treated others.

"To him, everyone was 'good people,'" a memorial note reads. The 22-year veteran of the Augusta Fire Department in Georgia was remembered as the "heart of his family and friends."